Which place is cheaper, Dakar or Karachi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Karachi or Dakar?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Karachi or Dakar? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Karachi or Dakar?
Karachi
Karachi is the capital of the Pakistani province of Sindh. It is the most populous city in Pakistan, and sixth most populous city proper in the world. Karachi, located on the coast of the Arabian Sea, is the financial and commercial center of the nation, as well as its largest port. The pace of life here is more hurried, and social attitudes are far more liberal than elsewhere in Pakistan. Locals call it the City of Lights, the City of The Quaid, and the City that Never Sleeps. The city credits its growth to the mixed populations of economic and political migrants along with refugees from different national, provincial, linguistic and religious origins, who generally come to the city to settle permanently.
Dakar
Located in West Africa, Dakar is the capital city of Senegal and an Atlantic port on the Cap-Vert peninsula. Main attractions include the city's markets, the Dakar Grand Mosque, Goree Island, the IFAN Museum, the African Renaissance Monument, beaches, and the Senegal Zoo.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Pakistan, The Best Historical Tours in Pakistan, The Best Adventure Tours to Senegal, and The Best Luxury Tours to Senegal.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKarachi $26Dakar $61
The average daily cost (per person) in Karachi is $26, while the average daily cost in Dakar is $61. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Karachi and Dakar in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKarachi $11Dakar $32
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKarachi $22Dakar $64
Compare Hotels in Karachi and Dakar
Looking for a hotel in Karachi or Dakar? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Karachi Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Karachi $4.58Dakar $5.37
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dakar
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Dakar:
- AIBD-DAKAR transfer: $49
- Transfer - DSS Airport <-> Dakar (One way): $66
- Private Transfer DSS AIBD Airport - Dakar (two directions): $82
- DSS Airport Transfer <-> Dakar (Return): $120
- Transfer - Dakar <-> Saint-Louis (One way): $197
- Blaise Diagne Int Airport (DSS): Transfer to Dakar hotels: $211
Is it cheaper to fly into Karachi or Dakar?
Prices for flights to both Dakar and Karachi change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayKarachi $11Dakar $20
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Karachi
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Karachi.
- Private Karachi Street Food Tour: $94
- Half-Day Karachi Burns Road Private Victoria Ride with Dinner: $100
- Street Food Tour of Karachi: $199
Typical Food Prices in Dakar
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Dakar:
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Breakfast$4.11
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Dakar
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Dakar.
- Senegalese Street Food Tour in Dakar: $115
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Karachi $5.07Dakar $14
Tours and Activities in Karachi
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Karachi are as follows:
- Karachi City Tour : $129
- UNESCO World Heritage Tour Near Karachi : $150
- Karachi Sightseeing Private tour: $159
- Full Day Private Tour in Karachi City: $162
- Full Day Private Tour to Mohatta Palace Zainab and Burns road: $196
- Experience local village life in Sindh: $200
Tours and Activities in Dakar
Here are a few actual costs in Dakar for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Private custom tour with a local guide: $30
- Private Custom Walking Tour with a Local Guide in Dakar: $31
- Accro Baobab Adventure Ticket Entry: $38
- Half Day Dakar City Tour: $105
- Private City Tour: $109
- Full Day Private Tour in move, eat, act like a local: $109
- Half-Day GOREE Island Tour:The Heritage Tour: $130
- Mamelles Lighthouse and Ngor Island (Walking Tour): $130
- From Dakar or Saly: Half-Day Tour to Pink Lake: $138
- Full Day Goree Island And Dakar City Tour(Minimum 2 Participants): $142
- Full-Day Private Dakar City Tour : $142
- Day trip Goree island and Dakar city tour : $159
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKarachi $3.35Dakar $9.00
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Karachi and Dakar, we can see that Dakar is more expensive. And not only is Karachi much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Karachi is in Asia and Dakar is in Africa, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Karachi would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Karachi and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Dakar would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Dakar than you might in Karachi.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Karachi Expensive? and Is Dakar Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Karachi or Dakar?
Karachi has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Dakar. When comparing the sizes of Karachi and Dakar, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.
When is the best time to visit Karachi or Dakar?
Karachi has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Dakar experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Karachi or Dakar in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Karachi and Dakar. Dakar attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Karachi is around the same temperature as Dakar in the summer. The daily temperature in Karachi averages around 30°C (86°F) in July, and Dakar fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Dakar this time of the year. Karachi usually receives less sunshine than Dakar during summer. Karachi gets 155 hours of sunny skies, while Dakar receives 218 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Karachi usually receives less rain than Dakar. Karachi gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Dakar receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKarachi 30°C (86°F)Dakar 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Karachi or Dakar in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Karachi as well as Dakar. The warm climate attracts visitors to Dakar throughout the year.
In the autumn, Karachi is around the same temperature as Dakar. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Karachi in October average around 29°C (84°F), and Dakar averages at about 28°C (82°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Dakar. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Karachi this time of the year. In the autumn, Karachi often gets more sunshine than Dakar. Karachi gets 284 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dakar receives 260 hours of full sun.
Karachi usually gets less rain in October than Dakar. Karachi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Dakar receives 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKarachi 29°C (84°F)Dakar 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Karachi or Dakar in the Winter?
Both Dakar and Karachi are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Dakar because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In January, Karachi is generally cooler than Dakar. Daily temperatures in Karachi average around 19°C (66°F), and Dakar fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).
It's quite sunny in Dakar. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Karachi. Karachi usually receives more sunshine than Dakar during winter. Karachi gets 271 hours of sunny skies, while Dakar receives 232 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Karachi usually receives around the same amount of rain as Dakar. Karachi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Dakar receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKarachi 19°C (66°F)Dakar 22°C (72°F)
Should I visit Karachi or Dakar in the Spring?
Both Dakar and Karachi during the spring are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Dakar year-round.
Karachi is a little warmer than Dakar in the spring. The daily temperature in Karachi averages around 29°C (84°F) in April, and Dakar fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).
In Dakar, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Karachi. In the spring, Karachi often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Dakar. Karachi gets 277 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dakar receives 275 hours of full sun.
Karachi usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Dakar. Karachi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Dakar receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKarachi 29°C (84°F)Dakar 21°C (70°F)
Typical Weather for Dakar and Karachi
| Karachi | Dakar | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 19°C (66°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Feb | 22°C (72°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (79°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| May | 31°C (88°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Jun | 31°C (88°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Jul | 30°C (86°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Aug | 30°C (86°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (84°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| Oct | 29°C (84°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Nov | 24°C (75°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Dec | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.